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The Air Conditioning Mistake You Might Not Think Is So Popular

Leaving the AC On with Windows Open to Increase Air Flow

Listen, air conditioning systems are meant to keep the home or office cool from within.

As the air conditioner gives off cool air, it moves towards the warm areas. Eventually the entire area becomes cool.

However, this process takes some time. There are many individuals who believe that they can cool an area by using alternative techniques.

They turn on the air conditioner and open the windows to cool the room faster. One may come across this application of air conditioners quite often. There are many people who believe that this method is efficient. The theory behind leaving the windows open is that the air conditioner will cool the room and the windows will let in fresh air. But this cannot be further away from the truth.

It is highly recommended that you close all windows and doors when the air conditioner is turned on. This will keep the cool air inside the room and keep the temperature moderate. In addition to cooling efficiency, leaving the windows open will also put stress on the air conditioner. This is because the open windows let warm air inside. This extra stress may cause the air conditioner to become faulty prematurely.

Make Sure Your Room Isn't Leaking

When it is said that the room should be leak-proof, it means that warm air from the outside shouldn't come in.

Make sure that the doors and windows are closed

Check for small spaces under or on the side of the door

Check near the windowsill for any gaps in the panels that can let cool air out and warm air in

Air conditioners have an automatic system. When you set the cooling level to a specific temperature, the air conditioner starts giving off cool air.

The temperature monitor or thermostat in the AC constantly keeps a check on the room temperature. As soon as the room temperature is up to the level you pre-entered, the AC will turn itself off. As soon as the temperature drops, it will turn on again. This is a feature designed to optimize the AC's performance while providing the cooling you desire.

When the temperature in the room reaches the preset level, the AC turns off to make sure that the room is not getting too cold. This keeps the users comfortable. Otherwise, the AC would make the room uncomfortably cold. All air conditioners, regardless of the type, have this feature. You can enter a temperature level and the unit will maintain it.

Another reason the AC is designed in a way that it turns off automatically is to conserve power. If an air conditioning unit does not turn off, it will work constantly and spike up your electricity bill.

If the air conditioner works excessively:

It is more likely to malfunction

The air conditioner will struggle to maintain a specific temperature when the room is letting in warm air

It will work extra hard to maintain the temperature and in the process get damaged.

Air Conditioner Cooling Rating

All air conditioners are rated to cool a specific space. This rating is directly related to the cooling capacity of the AC. If you install the AC in a larger room, it will work harder and use more electricity. In addition, the cooling will also be ineffective. The same concept applies when the windows are left open. In order to make sure that you make the most of your investment, you have to minimize the stress placed on it. You also have to make sure that heat does not enter the room. At the same time, you have to make sure that the cool air does not leak.

The best practice is to get a slightly larger cooling rating AC for a smaller room. This will provide efficient cooling and also keep your energy costs down. For instance, if an air conditioner is rated to cool a room which is 125 sq. ft in size, you should use it in a smaller room. This means that the AC is larger than the square footage needs. Not only will it cool the room faster, it will keep it at a moderate temperature. However, if done improperly by getting an AC with a capacity that is far too large for your room, you will have spent unnecessary money.

A large air conditioner will not have to work hard to cool a small room. This way you will be able to keep your maintenance costs low. In addition, since the air conditioner will easily maintain a steady temperature in the room, it will only turn on once in a while. The rest of the time, it will be on standby, monitoring the room for a rise in temperature. This will keep you electricity costs low as well.

How Can You Keep A Room Cool?

There are many ways you can keep a room cool. Some of these tips are quite basic and do not require much effort. However, if those tips do not work, you should opt for a more advanced method. Let's look at ways you can keep your room cool:

Keep the Curtains or Blinds Drawn

This is one thing you should do on a regular basis. The times of the day when it gets particularly hot, you should draw the curtains or drop the blinds. This will keep the sunlight away from your room. When sunlight does not hit the room, it will remain cool.

However, this will only work for areas where the temperature does not spike. Areas that are warmer require a different approach.

Install Window Tints

Protecting the windows from sunlight can be tricky. Even if you draw the curtains, sunlight will still heat the room if the temperature is too high.

In such a scenario, you should consider getting window tints. The window tints may not do a great job on their own, but combined with curtains you could make your home significantly cooler.

Insulation

Windows and doors are not the only place where heat can get into your home. During the day, the entire home can get extremely hot.

Parts of your home that absorb heat:

The walls

The roof

The floor

When you turn the air conditioner on, the heat from the home will be transferred to the room. This makes the AC work harder and the cooling ineffective. The best way to resolve this issue is insulation.

You should insulate your entire home to avoid heat from entering and to keep the cool air in. This will not only keep your air conditioner from working too hard, but will also save you money on utility bills.

Not only does insulation keep cooling costs low in summer, it also keeps the heating costs minimal. Insulation is meant to keep the exterior heat away from your room. Insulation is not only beneficial if you want to keep the home cool. The insulation will also prove helpful in keeping heating costs down.

How to Check If Your Home Needs Insulation

Insulation makes a huge difference to the cooling quality of your air conditioner. It can significantly reduce the stress on your air conditioner and even lower your electricity bills.

It is important to check your home for proper insulation. At times, the old insulation becomes ineffective and needs to be replaced. In such a case, there are a few simple checks you can perform:

Temperature Fluctuation Between Rooms

The first indication of faulty insulation is temperature fluctuation in different rooms. If you are in one room, go to the other room to check the difference in temperature. In that case, you need to get new insulation. At times the case is simply of an improper insulation type. Once you get the correct type installed, the temperature will stay even.

Cold Walls or Floors

Insulation is not only installed in the walls but also the floors and ceiling. During the winter months, the insulation should keep the temperature of the floor and walls moderate. But if the walls and floor are getting cold, you need insulation immediately. The walls will become colder and you will need to run the heating for longer. This will cause a spike in your heating bill as well.

Spike in Cooling or Heating Bills

A firm indicator of a faulty insulation is a sudden spike in heating and/or cooling bills. If you are not sure about why your bills spiked, you should hire a professional contractor. They will perform an energy audit to check the insulation in your home.

What to Know About Getting Insulation

Before you go ahead and get insulation for your home, there are a few things you should know about. The first is how to determine the cost of insulation for your home. Secondly, you will need to figure out the type of insulation you should be using in your home.

Cost Of Insulation Your Home

The cost of insulation varies from home to home. This is because there are many factors to take into account. The first and most important factor to consider is the type of insulation to use. There are some that are more expensive. The best thing to do is to contact a renowned insulation company and get a quote. Be sure to get insulation that is perfect for your home rather than going for the cheapest option.

What Type of Insulation to Use

The type of insulation you should use depends on numerous factors. Firstly, you have to consider the area you are living in. If you live in a ???hot' region, you will need to get topnotch insulation. On the other hand, you can do with a low priced one if your area has a moderate climate. There are many types of insulations available in the market. You can always consult a professional to see which one suits your home the best.